Dion Waiters Will Average over 18 Points a Game

Last season, Waiters was second among rookies in scoring, at 14.7 points a night. He did this on a less than inspiring 41.2 percent shooting from the field and 31 percent from three-point land.

So why believe he'll be better this year?

For starters, Waiters enters into his sophomore season in much better shape than a year ago. He's also being more selective with his shots as well.

Waiters spent far too much time chucking three-pointers last season. He's at his best splitting defenders and getting to the basket.

In his first four games this preseason, Waiters has attempted 44 shots, with just six coming from behind the three-point line. This means his aggressiveness has been turned up, and he's not just settling for threes.

It's also worth noting that after the All-Star break last season, Waiters averaged 16.1 points on 45.8 percent shooting, up from his 14.2 on 39.6 shooting before it.

With Kyrie Irving looking to distribute more to all the new players, Waiters could easily push his scoring average up over 18.

Sergey Karasev Will End the Season Starting at Small Forward

While we still don't know who will begin the season starting at small forward for the Cavs, it's entirely possibly Karasev will take the job at some point this year.

Karasev is 6'7" and can play either wing position. He's started one game so far this preseason, and has struggled with his shot to this point.

That being said, there's a lot to like about the kid.

Still just 19, Karasev isn't coming in raw like so many other European players. He's shown a confidence and ability level of someone 10 years his elder. His shot may be off the mark so far, but it's looked smooth coming out of his hand. Some adjustments here and there, and Karasev should find his stroke soon enough.

Of course, his defense will be under the microscope from Mike Brown. If he proves he can defend while knocking down the three ball, Karasev could easily take the job from Earl Clark, Alonzo Gee, C.J. Miles or whoever else is starting at the time.

Cleveland Will Finish in the Top 10 in Team Defense

One reason Byron Scott no longer coaches the Cavaliers is their complete and utter lack of defense the past three seasons.

This should change under Mike Brown.

Last season, the Cavs finished 25th in the NBA in points allowed at 101.2 per game. The last time Brown coached the Cavaliers back in 2009-2010, they gave up just 95.6 a night.

Besides Brown's guidance, other factors will lead to an improved defensive team.

For one, Anderson Varejao returns. He was the NBA's best rebounder last season before getting hurt and is a solid pick-and-roll defender.

Getting Andrew Bynum on the court will also be huge. He can be a defensive anchor and averaged 1.9 blocks per game under Brown with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011-2012. No Cavalier averaged even a single block a game last year.

Tristan Thompson, Earl Clark and Alonzo Gee are all solid defenders and should be even better this year under Brown.

Tristan Thompson Wins NBA's Most Improved Player

There should be quite a few players in the running for the title of most improved, but none have undergone as big a change as Thompson has.

Switching from a left-handed jump shot in favor of one on the right side, early signs point to a good decision by Thompson.

His jumper has looked much smoother this preseason. In his first six games, Thompson is shooting 54.9 percent from the field, up from 48.8 percent a year ago.

In 2012-13, Thompson put together averages of 11.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. His scoring should be improved thanks to a smoother jumper, which will also help to draw defenders out to him, thus opening up a driving lane.

Thompson's rebounding has always been a strong point and should only improve. He increased his average to 10.1 boards after the All-Star break last season and is leading the Cavs with 8.5 a game this preseason.

Thompson has always had a strong work ethic as well, and will at least be in the running for Most Improved Player this season.

Cleveland Finishes 48-34 Overall

It certainly was for the Oklahoma City Thunder, another team who was built through the draft and quickly developed their young talent. And they didn't sign an All-Star center, either.

In 2008-09 the Thunder finished 23-59, a game worse than the Cavaliers last season. Despite this poor record, they played young stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook big minutes to help them develop.

Apparently, it paid off.

The following season, the Thunder went 50-32, earning a spot in the tough Western Conference playoffs.

...and Pull off a First-Round Upset over the Brooklyn Nets

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A lottery team turning around to spring a playoff upset the following year? When does that ever happen?

Try last season out in Oakland.

The Golden State Warriors, also the No. 6 seed in the conference, knocked out the No. 3 seed Denver Nuggets in six games. The Warriors featured a young and talented backcourt led by a star point guard and strong play from their sixth man, Jarrett Jack.

Sound familiar?

This upset will likely depend on the team who ends up third in the East, but for now let's say it happens to be Brooklyn. Tristan Thompson and Anthony Bennett could certainly wear down Kevin Garnett while Dion Waiters blows past Joe Johnson on every drive. Andrew Bynum in the post would spell trouble for Brook Lopez, too.

The Nets would be a perfect first round matchup for the Cavs given their, well, oldness.